Severn Bridge owners stall on toll discounts
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by Karen Miles • Operators who want discount tolls on the Severn river crossings will have to wait at least another six months before the crossing owners begin to consider the issue.
The latest delay, which has caused anger among hauliers, emerges as the £330m Second River Crossing enters its second week of operation.
It also coincides with intensified complaints from the RAC that prohibitive tolls on both bridges will force large numbers of lorries off the motorway network and onto rural roads.
Notice of the delay follows a decision by the Severn River Crossing company to conduct traffic surveys now that both bridges are in use.
The Road Haulage Association says some operators are spending £100,000 a year on tolls across the Severn; it believes that the decision is unnecessary. "We know that a 10% discount would attract lorries back on to the bridge but now there will be further delays, "says western area regional director Mike Farmer.
The RAC is also critical of the Severn River Crossing Company's policy: "What a tragedy it is that much of the traffic, particularly lorries, which could have taken advantage of the new bridge will contin ue to take a 59-mile tollbusters route through Gloucestershire to avoid the swingeing toll charges," it says.